Photo credit: Dale Skoulding

Sussex student and Powerlifter Poppy Joshi is setting her sights on a world record at the World Full Power Championships in Glasgow this weekend (3-4 November 2018).

The Physics and Astronomy undergraduate is competing on Saturday and is hoping to go for a world record in the bench and deadlift categories, in addition to a personal best in squat.

A multi-sport athlete, Poppy is also president of the Students’ Union’s Women’s Hockey Club and plays for Lewes Hockey Club Ladies. But it was dressage that originally lured Poppy into the gym in 2016, as she wanted to get stronger to improve her skills in the sport. 

After a year of strength training and looking to challenge herself more, Poppy heard about a powerlifting meet. Five weeks later she had a coach and won her first competition, automatically qualifying her for the BDFPA Nationals Competition earlier this year.

Despite having to prepare for the national championships while balancing a busy academic workload during the University’s assessment period, Poppy went on to win her section and place third in the open competition, guaranteeing her a spot in the upcoming World Championships.

With so many extracurricular commitments, Poppy has had to structure her time carefully but believes it will all be worth it.

She said: “Trying to start my peak during the first six weeks of term as well as fitting hockey and university work in has been a bit tricky at times, but the 5.45am starts and 10pm finishes will be worth it if I come home with a full board of personal bests! 

“I’m so excited about going to the world champs, it’s time to bring the fire for the last few training sessions!”

Poppy is part of Sussexsport’s Sport Scholarship Scheme, which supports talented student athletes in reaching their athletic and academic potential through a network of support that prizes physical and mental health, as well as performance. Scholars also receive financial support as part of the Scheme, which is generously donated by friends and alumni of the University through the Sussex Fund.